Kit needed to start and run your business
In 2004 I received advice on how to start my own carpet cleaning business, and it is the best thing i have ever done .
If you want to know anything then ask in the comments and I will answer the questions , anything from what machinery to advertising, stain removal .
This is a better way as we all have different needs, so ask away and I will reply, could you also if you have time please Like my facebook page and share it keeps the karma going ,Thanks
By Clicking the like button Thanks
The first thing you need to decide is how much you have to set up, probably between £1000 to £3000 or higher if you start with a Truckmount which can be upto £30,000 .
Transport
A large hatchback is adequate to start with if you are on a low budget, as you gain experience and a client group you will then move onto a van which we give you confidence and display a professional look to your customers, this can also be sign written and bring in a steady stream of work.
Equipment
This will be determined by your budget but as a minimum I would purchase
Heres whats in My Barnsley and wakefield carpet cleaning Van
- A twin vac portable with at least 100 psi pump with a wand and 50 ft of hose,so and a hand tool for upholstery work.
This is the first Machine I started with .
- Slow speed rotary machine less than 200 rpm
- Pump up sprayer for your chemicals
- Carpet brush, upholstery brush
- High PH and wool safe carpet and upholstery cleaning solutions , various spotting solutions wool solutions
- 2 buckets, a pile of terry towels
- A commercial hoover
This is a essential part of carpet cleaning
All this will cost us about £1000 to £3000 depending if you buy new or second hand
Training
I would recommend going on a Solutions basic carpet and upholstery cleaning course about £200 to £300
Solutions Training
http://www.cleantalk.co.uk/pages/carpet-cleaning-training-course/
http://www.cleantalk.co.uk/pages/upholstery-curtain-cleaning-training-course/
http://www.cleantalk.co.uk/pages/spot-stain-training-course/
Links to Machine and chemical suppliers
World of Clean
( http://www.woolsafeacademy.org/woolsafe-fibre-care-specialist-training-course/)
http://www.chemspec-europe.com/
Next try and contact a carpet cleaner at least 50 miles from you and ask them if you can spend the day with them.
When you find a carpet cleaner make sure you get on with them as the are a invaluable resource for advice.
Getting work
Here’s a list of ways I have used
- recommendations
- Leaflets
- Internet
- Newspaper ads
- Do friends for free to get some practise
- Door knocking
- Emails
- Telephone
- Website
- Tumbler
- wordpress blog
- Sign written vans , cars
- Letters to commercial firms,then follow up with a visit
- Free listings
- Join carpet cleaning forums
- Networking
- Posters
Here is a update on New training dates
Training Courses – October 12th, 13th 14th and 15th 2015
It can’t be difficult. It’s only cleaning…
These are words we’ve heard so often, from both the public and from many new entrants to our own industry.
Carpet and upholstery cleaning is fraught with very expensive pitfalls for the unwary. Without the right training, recognising the issues of cleaning, for example, a woven, wool pile Axminster as opposed to a tufted polypropylene carpet could turn out to be a very expensive example of ignorance and neglect.
Our industry is forever changing. What was once Best Practice may not now be compatible with many more recent developments in dye and fibre technology, cleaning solution chemistry or carpet and fabric construction.
Whether a seasoned, experienced technician or a new entrant to our specialised sector of textile cleaning, knowledge, understanding and skills are vital tools for the true professional.
On the Solution Carpet, Upholstery and Specialist Spot And Stain Removal Training Courses, not only do we teach you the theoretical side of carpet, fabrics and cleaning technologies, we also schedule into each and every day hours of hands-on-the-tools practical experience, a vital element missing from many of our competitors’ training programmes.
Although our courses are structured in a way to make learning easy and enjoyable, it is inevitable that, for some, there will be aspects that require a little extra clarification.
Places are strictly limited to make sure courses are not too full and that we can spend the correct amount of time with each delegate. So if you would like to book a place do it now to avoid disappointment.
For more information and to book a place please call 01209 204343the Jaguar machines, and the new I-Xtreme first hand. For those attending all three courses discounts are available plus the addition if required of an Free open workshop on the Friday morning.
The courses will feature both technical and hands on training and will be presented by the well respected Ken Wainwright and Nick Robertson-Vousden.
All courses feature the following:
- Introduction
- Practical demo’s from beginning to end
- Solution cleaning chemicals and solutions
- Carpet types
- Fibre identification
- Chemical types
- pH
- Product application techniques
- And much more…
To read more on each course:
1 Day Upholstery Cleaning Course
1 Day Specialist Spot & Stain Course
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php
Register as self employed
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/sa/register.htm
for help and advice ring me (Neil) on 01226891577
Carpet cleaning companies
Links to carpet cleaners I recommend
Based in Wimbledon Dean covers all south London for carpet and upholstery cleaning
Citrussteam is a Newly formed company based in Oswestery , Alan Irving the owner operator has completed training at solutions in Cornwall and has passed for membership off the Ncca .
Citrussteam is a Truck-mounted business that offers Carpet cleaning as well as upholstery ,rugs and Tile and grout cleaning .
Alan also provides a commercial cleaning service for any doctors surgeries ,offices call centres pubs any large or small commercial buildings that have carpets or hard floors .
If You live in Sheffield and are looking for your carpet cleaning or a end of tenancy clean then look no further than Supreme Clean Sheffield or Chesterfield , Steven who owns and runs supreme clean has the highest Google 5 star ratings for all of Sheffield
Barnsley Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners 01226 891577 
Hi im going on the carpet cleaning course with the ncca next week im in the middle of setting up in buisness as a cleaning buisness and carpet cleaning will be part of the buisness once ive completed the course will I be able to go out to clean carpets after completing the course.
LikeLike
Hi Andrew
Yes you should be able to clean carpets to a high standard once you have completed the course , and have all the chemicals and machinery needed.
It always helps to build confidence, by doing some friends and families first.
good luck with your new venture
Neil
LikeLike
Hello, just wondering if a rug doctor with upholstery tool is a good enough machine to start up with? Many thanks steph.
LikeLike
Hi Stephan
A Rug dr is not ideal , but if your budget will only stretch to that then until you have enough money to buy a twin vac 100psi machine , then it would be ok , Training with a recognised company should be attended though as its easy to make a costly mistake when first starting . cheers Neil
LikeLike
Hi neil
I am considering starting a carpet and upholstery cleaning business but would also like to do a course but can’t find anything where I stay which is in capetown. I am employed but would like do this as a second income I am also an electrician
LikeLike
hi Ricardo
if you fly me out I will make sure you will have the best training available
LikeLike
Hello myself and my husband are hoping to start a carpet cleaning business this year.he has booked on a professional training course at the end of march (as suggested above). However it would be helpful if he could shadow someone who is doing the job like you sugessted . i wondered would you be open to the idea of my husband coming to spend some time with you? We are based in merseyside so not in your area.
LikeLike
Hi I just want to start my cleaning company starting in household cleaning couches and so on I just want to know how to go about it. I’m in South Africa
LikeLike
Hi Nkuleh
First thing to do is search for any training courses near you .
Sofas /couches are a lot more complicated than carpets and are made from a variety of materials and fibres , so costly mistakes can be made . Get some training and insurances .
Thanks Neil
LikeLike
Hi Neil,
Just wondering if a Jaguar Cub machine would be good enough to start up the business with? Also is it only the HMRC I got to register the business with?
Thanks
Rob
LikeLike
Hi rob
A jaguar cub would be fine especially if used in conjunction with a slow speed rotary or crb . And yes hmrc is the only ones you need to inform .
Neil
LikeLike
Hi Neil,
That’s a great guide! Honestly I know everything you mentioned about except one thing. Is it necessary to do a course? Is it like
without it you can not open business?. I am asking because I have big experience in this
area so it seems to be useless. However surely I might catch up important or new tricks etc. ???
Apologies for any mistakes. Written from phone.
Regards
Simon
LikeLike
Its always good to refresh training as new solutions and machines are becoming available all the time.
LikeLike
Hi Neil, great info btw!
I am considering setting up a carpet cleaning business and have a friend who is moving on to pastures new and has offered me his gear as follows;
Powr-Flite PFX1085Eph-2 starter package
1 x extra hose length
2 x turbo driers
1 x dri master hand tool
stain removal kit
1 x backpack sprayer
1 x envirodri gen 4 carpet brush
All the chemicals i’d need for a long while
Plenty of training and advice over phone if req.
Loads of training manuals etc.
He’s open to offers but i really don’t know where to start. I’ve looked on forums for the cleaner and second hand values but still not sure. Can you shed any light on this setup? Good or bad? It’s also about 6 years old.
Thanks in advance for any advice you could give.
Regards
Dan
LikeLike
Hi dsmcgoo
If you can get it all for between £1500 to £2000 it would be a good buy , all dependant on the condition, the envirodri is a good bit of kit and can be used for dry cleaning .remember to leave some money for marketing at least a third
LikeLike
Hi Neil,
How wonderful to find a site like this supporting new start up businesses. My son has recently started up a new carpet cleaning business in the Greater Manchester area. He’s bought an Alltec pro, looks very similar to your first machine. He’s done the NCCA course and just enrolled for the Advanced Spot & Stain course in June & got tickets for the TACCA event in June. He heavily discounted jobs for friends & family to get some practice. We’re promoting him via a Facebook page (KLEANER HOLMES – check it out!). We’ve got flyers and either done a drop around local housing estates, left them with tradesmen and local businesses). However, business seems slow on the uptake and I was wondering if there are any other hints or tips you have for building a customer base?
LikeLike
Hi Angela
I try to help new carpet cleaners as much as I can as thats how I started .
Your son has done all the right things so far , when he goes on The Tacca day he should network as much as possible , there will be a large number of very informed cleaners there , who will be only to willing to help a new starter.
The best way I found to get work coming in was leafleting its hard work but does pay off if you are willing to engage people you will get 1 job per thousand, fb is good but the fan page is limited now to how many people will see it share articles ,and again engage facebookers .
On your facebook page I would put more pictures , and a picture of the owner ,people ring and ask for me as i have my pic and name on all my sites a contact email address and a local landline , I have both and 9 times out of 10 people ring the landline.
Get a website they are cheap if you do it yourself ,once you have that you can use google Adwords to send people to your site .
I just searched carpet cleaners manchester and google returned 636,000 related pages so there is stiff competition out there Rochdale it was 39,000 I would concentrate on being the best carpet cleaner in Rochdale get on netmums “BE EVERYWHERE”
As Martin Riley said to me ” A business is like a jet plane ,it needs full thrust at the start to take off”
Good luck hope that helps
Neil
LikeLike
Thanks for the advice Neil, great idea about adding a picture of Lewis! We’ve just paid about £30 to have a pro make an ad for him and about £140 to include the ad in a local business advertisingmag which gets distributed to about 7,000 homes. I’ll show him your comments about leflet dropping because I think he’s had some conflicting advice about that 👍. thanks again and keep up the great work😀
LikeLike
Hi, great advice and info!
Looking at the list of equipment you suggest for a new start, are there any websites you would recommend to buy this equipment from?
Thanks
Terrence.
LikeLike
Hi Terrence
I would buy my equipment from the nearest large supplier , that way you will build a relationship with them and they will be able to fix problems fast and give you good local advice. The main ones are Prochem , ashbys, solutions,Hydramaster and my favorite for service, advice and good quality machines and tools is Alltec in Royston Hertfordshire .
LikeLike
Hi Neil
Like most people posting comments here, I’m thinking of starting this type of business, in conjunction with pressure washing, gutter and window cleaning.
I do have a couple of mates that run a carpet showroom/fitting business, and I mentioned it to them. They’re response was “a lot of hard work for little return”. As I don’t really know who else to ask, I saw you’re forum, so thought I’d ask you, but I think I know what you’re answer will be in response to theirs!
I am already employed, but I have wanted to do something like this for a while, and I think it could run alongside my job nicely as I work shifts. What’s you’re opinion on that?
Regarding equipment, I was looking at the CFR Eco 500, sold by Amtech UK. Do you know much about it?
Thanks
Andy
LikeLike
Andy
I think you have a good business plan , the CFR Eco 500 is more than adequate to start with , I would add to that a slow speed rotary so that you can do low profile commercial jobs and use for agitation , As for no money in it the first person I learnt from over 15 years ago turned over £100,000 in his first year I think his profit was about £40,000 but increased as his business became established.
The only problem with carpet cleaning is you have to market for new customers so living near a large city like wakefield ,Barnsley and leeds like I do helps.
window cleaning will keep regular money coming in ,try to keep the carpet cleaning separate if you can as you will achieve a higher price and be perceived more as a expert , than a jack of all trades
I I started the same way you are going to and it worked well but you soon run out of time and end up fed up of working all the time.
Go for it Andy you have nothing to lose second hand machines sell well on ebay ,I got one last month paid £1000 for £3000 machine and equipment as she jumped in to fast and didn’t like it , so its always worth having a look on ebay you want a twin vac 135 -500 psi machine with heater or a separate instant heater rotary low speed 175 rpm
LikeLike
Hi Neil
Thanks for the response. Since first seeing the forum, I noticed that you recommend Alltec. They are only a stones throw from me, so I’m going to give them a look. I think I’d got a bit too focused on the CFR machine, because I liked the idea of recycling but some of the kit at Alltec looks amazing, especially when you add a rotovac to it.
I also wanted to say thanks for your words of encouragement, and I’ve given some of the additional add on bits a second thought. I think you’re right, I’d prefer to be regarded as someone who does a good job at one thing, not just an ok job at loads!
Thanks again
Andy
LikeLike
Don’t forget alltec know all about marketing and without work you won’t have a business try to concentrate more on marketing than carpet cleaning .
good luck Andy
LikeLike
Hi Neil, i’m looking at starting my own carpet and upholstry cleaning business very soon, i have purchased a van and am going to book onto a course as suggested.
i have a budget of around 1500 – 2000 to spend on equipment and was wondering if you could give me some examples of good equipment in my price range as i realy dont know where to start looking.
thanks, ellis.
LikeLike
Hi Ellis
I started with a Alltec twin vac ,100 psi with 50ft of vac and solution hose and a wand and hand tool. this machine has only had 2 new vacs and a pump in ten years ,Prochem, Extracta, Ashbys, solutions, restoremate. are also a well respected manufacturers , There seems to be a lot of second hand machines on Ebay at the moment. basics that you need is a extraction machine , a carpet brush and a rotary machine and a sprayer .https://barnsleycarpetanduphosterycleaners.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/whats-in-my-van/
LikeLike
Hi Neil,
Firstly, thanks for all the above information that you’ve provided above in your own time, I’ve found this all very useful!
I’ve been considering setting up on my own for a while now but never quite had the balls to do it. In addition, my knowledge of the industry is relatively poor.
Can you help with a step by step guide from where to start.
I’m fortunate to have family who are in marketing, graphic design and business development so I’m thinking more towards the specifics of cleaning.
I’ve only ever used rug doctor for small jobs and although it did the trick, I’m aware it’s not the greatest of kit available
Thanks again,
Dave
Ps will follow you on Facebook
LikeLike
Hi Neil,
Is a Taski Aquamat 30 a good m/c to start with its got 90-100psi pump twinjet and front roller brush sorry dont know the r.p.m? ,
Nick.
LikeLike
Hi Nick
It depends which market you are aiming at for domestic I would want a more flexible machine than could also do upholstery ,
If its for commercial then it would be adequate for a good maintenance programme .
A good set up would be a slow speed rotary for commercial and a portable twinn vac 135 psi min that has a hand tool for upholstery . this is what kit i use and fit i can do most jobs with it.
all can be purchased second hand for between £1000 to £2000
https://barnsleycarpetanduphosterycleaners.wordpress.com/2014/04/07/whats-in-my-van/
If it is all you can use at the moment then it would do until you could purchase other items , we all have to start somewhere good luck
LikeLike
its nice to see getting trained in this field and make business out of it , We are into this business to and i feel its a wonderful article , Contact us for any suggestions or cleaning , we’re carpet cleaning local area , http://www.carpetcleaninglocalarea.com/carpet-cleaning-about.html
LikeLike
Hello ,
I am considering starting my own business and carpet cleaning came up as an option. Would you be able to say what the average earnings are, either weekly or monthly before or after all reasonable expenses are deducted.
Thank you
LikeLike
Hi paaKEegyir
I know carpet cleaners that earn over £75000 a year and ones that make a loss .
As with any business it dependant on the economy at the time and if you can make it work .
I would say that the fact your asking more about the money than the job satisfaction shoes me that you would be more suited to investment banking
LikeLike
I’m thinking about starting a carpet cleaning business. How much work is there out there and how much could be earnt as an average in a year? I’ve found your website intresting and informative thanks.
LikeLike
Hi thinking about starting up a new carpet cleaning business and found this website a really good help. 🙂 what I have been hearing is that nowadays it’s more of a 2 man job. I would just be working by myself. Would you agree with what I have been hearing?
Thanks
LikeLike
Hi Kevin , it’s more of a two man job if you have commercial contracts ,but on domestic it can easily run by one man.
The vast majority of cc are start of as man bands then if they need any help they just hire in helpers as needed.
So times they do expand and add extra vans and take on staff the choice is yours
LikeLike
Hi Neil
U seem like the man I been looking for haha 👍 I to am just trying to start up on my own here’s where I am…
I have brought a rug doctor x3 ( budget low)
I have got business cards and uniform and also trying to build a website!
I have contacted every letting agent in my area with some positive responces for end of tenancy and have also contacted the brewerys to try get into some local pubs
My big question is what else do i have to do apart from get insurance how do I register as a business ect and how long do I get as I’ll still be working my current job. I’ll add u on face book if u could drop me your number be great
Regards Pete
LikeLike
Hi Neil,I would love to start up my own cleaning business and I would like to start up with carpet cleaning.my question is: would I be able to do it on my own,or will I need a man working with me as well! Thanks for taking the time to read this adj ,hopefully respond as well!
LikeLike
Hi Lavina
There is no reason that you can’t run a carpet cleaning business successfully by yourself , I know of several that are working in the industry .
The majority of carpet cleaners that are really successful however seem to be partnerships of husband and wife , but i think this is mainly due to the fact that as you get busier you need someone to do the marketing and paper work more than as a physical help. if you look for the forum cleantalk.co.uk you will find several female operaters who post on there on a regular basis , up this helps
LikeLike
Hi there i in process ofstarting my ownlittle buisness in upholstery cleaning carpets and car valeting i purchased all equipment esrly this year but just getting riund to starting off i bought a steam pro 2000 with chemicals floor scrubber everything to start offin a small scale evenwas given the nvq folder for carpets and upholstery and also checking sheat for before and after job checks i will in time take the full course iv had few practices at home and on my own car an happy with results would i need to take the full course beforebi can start or not for family and friends and advice would be much appreciated thanks inadvance
LikeLike
Hi Carl
I think most of us started that way ,with friends and family ,but I made sure I had training before I ever cleaned someones carpet for payment .
The reason being even though its rare there are a few carpets out there that can catch you out , and then you end up owning it , and the cost with some can run into the high hundreds on residential carpet and bigger houses into thousands .
so answer is practice on your own but get training before you start there are lots about that will give you a good start , solutions in cornwall ,cleansmart in nottingham , alltec in royston herts,ncca, and if your in scotland then Jamie pearson in fife and also john kelly in cramlington to name the one I know of.
Good luck with your business and keep getting training its a investment in yourself.
LikeLike
Thanks for that ill sort soon as i sort a van that my next stap thanks again
LikeLike
To add to previous comment, looking to spend 5 total for equipment,want a high psi machine,good vacuum,not sure if better with heater or jag with no heat
LikeLike
Hi Lee
I know Nick that sells the Jags and from the comments i’ve seen on his forum they all seem very happy with them , Nicks philosophy is that using the correct solutions and agitation heat isn’t needed , and from my own experience I have a heater but rarely use it .
A 4 jet wand would give you better rinsing capabilities, but this would need to be balanced with dry times due to increased flow.
I use a twin jet wand as does the majority of cc.
solutions do a training course where you would be able to meet other jag users and also alltec in herts do one as does cleaning systems uk in scotland also john kelly , Restoremate in crammlington.
I would attend a training course before spending up to £5000 on a machine your choices with the spec you have listed is the enforcer ashby’s. airflex, and jag Id go for the Jag .
LikeLike
Thanks Neil,ye wouldn’t contemplate starting with training,planning on doing 2 or 3 to compliment good machine n jag it is then,know I can always purchase an external in-line heater for those really dirty jobs n suppose can hook up to available hot water on site where possible,I’d like to compliment you on you blogs,going to be really helpful as I move forward, cheers bud
Well contacted nick there n he cut me a absolute stonker of a package!big up solutions Cornwall/world of clean
LikeLike
Hi, I am going to start a carpet cleaning business but my budget is low at £1000. I’m using my car as transport to begin. My question is can you recommend the best carpet cleaner for around £500 New or a more expensive good second hand one that I could maybe get from ebay at around the same price. Thanks in advance for your help.
Colin
LikeLike
Any twin vac with a 100psi pump will be adaquate .
Or a karcher ,numatic to start with .
As long as you follow your chat pie chart and replace parts dependant on the carpet you are cleaning ie if it’s badly soiled up the ph of your cleaning solution or increase agitation .
You always have to replace something you haven’t got with another part of the pie .
Don’t forget training as it is essential north of the border Jamie Pearson at cleaning systems uk ,Newcastle John Kelly at restormate , and the south Nick at solutions ,cleantalk and world of clean . Cheers Neil
LikeLike
Great advice…..I’m planning on starting my very own carpet cleaning business
LikeLike
Im about to start my new cc business. I want a machine that could do both commercial and domestic. Does this used prochem ninja sound good for around £1200. is it too powerful for domestic?
3 x 3-stage TRIPLE Vacuum Motors.
+
500 psi 4-Port pump. (All New Piston AND Seals)
+
Brand New 3KW Portable Water Heater.
+
Brand New Spare 3-stage Lamb-Ametek Vacuum Motor Worth £177
What do you suggest is good for back-up machine? the craftex sabrina/jangro are quite cheap, but what do you think is best
LikeLike
Hi,
When googling twin vac portable the numatic WVD570 wet and dry comes up as a popular search result.
Would this be a good start up machine?
Richard
LikeLike
Hi Richard
The wvd numatic is ok for upholstery and small domestic jobs , but lacks in psi (rinsing flow) for more than a couple of rooms
the best starter machine are twin vac over 100psi , airflex.prochem,craftex,alltec,amtech and the cub by solutions in cornwall which has a 300 psi pump a great starter machine that is capable of larger jobs as well.
LikeLike
Hello Neil, thanks for the above information. I am hoping to start up in business in July this year in the North Leeds area. Could you give me some independent advice on solutions. Which Eco product would you recommend for most of your everyday business for both natural and synthetic carpets.
Thanks.
LikeLike
Hi peter
I would look at , solutions in Cornwall for eco products (world of clean )they also do training . I use mpower for most jobs which is very good on wool
LikeLike